treacheroustexan
Well-Known Member
I think my next brew will be northern brewers grapefruit pulpin!
With using the CF chiller you completely avoid cold break.
RMCB
For an update I brewed a 5.2oz hop Beer yesterday, all pellets straight in again, no hop filter. No clogging. I also ran without the check valve and problem I have with that is it nearly overflows up the side of the tun on the mash step. Without the ball and spring there's a bit more flow. Also, I seem to get more wort over the overflow the whole time and before it would nearly stop at the end. I'll probably run with it next time.
I thought that was the downside to the CFC? That you end up with cold break in your fermenter
Ok....y'all got me. I've been reading for two days. Then I get the northern brewer 20% off code in my email.
Well....it's a done deal.
It says in the offer details doesn't include Grainfather, but if you put it in your cart and apply the coupon it discounts it. Did it actually let you check out for the $731.92 price?
With using the CF chiller you completely avoid cold break.
RMCB
I get lots of cold break in my fermenter every time.
For an update I brewed a 5.2oz hop Beer yesterday, all pellets straight in again, no hop filter. No clogging. I also ran without the check valve and problem I have with that is it nearly overflows up the side of the tun on the mash step. Without the ball and spring there's a bit more flow. Also, I seem to get more wort over the overflow the whole time and before it would nearly stop at the end. I'll probably run with it next time.
You've done this a number of times now correct? I'm just worried about all that hop debris going through the pump.
I will give it a try next brew!
Anyone else remove the filter altogether?
I have over 15 brews on my GF and I have never had an issue with hops(leaf or pellet) blocking the filter or causing a blockage in the pump.Yes if the filter gets coated real good the flow is diminished when it is coated.I have done some really hoppy IPA's with 6 ounces of pellet hops and have never had a problem and I have not removed the check valve.
I have used a hop spider I got from arbourfab with good success and I have also used hop bags though I am currently out of the latter.I plan on picking up a big batch of them from Ebay in the future.
RMCB
You've done this a number of times now correct? I'm just worried about all that hop debris going through the pump.
I will give it a try next brew!
Anyone else remove the filter altogether?
How much leaf hops? I have same experience as Seabrew with needing to remove check valve if hops directly in boiler without a basket or bag. I was quite surprised after I cleared the leaf hop clog with a spoon that it ran very well afterwards. Sucked her dry with me tilting towards the pump.I have over 15 brews on my GF and I have never had an issue with hops(leaf or pellet) blocking the filter or causing a blockage in the pump.Yes if the filter gets coated real good the flow is diminished when it is coated.I have done some really hoppy IPA's with 6 ounces of pellet hops and have never had a problem and I have not removed the check valve.
I have used a hop spider I got from arbourfab with good success and I have also used hop bags though I am currently out of the latter.I plan on picking up a big batch of them from Ebay in the future.
RMCB
because the details clearly say the 20% does not apply to the Grainfather.
I honestly missed that completely in my 3 am binge shopping.
I would not have ordered had I seen the exclusion and would have waited for a sale elsewhere.
Anyhow, mine is one town over and should be here today.
I never saw any exclusion on the NB homepage so I went right to the grainfather system, added to the cart, entered the code and paid. It wasn't until after on a separate page I saw the exclusion.
If they call asking for more money, I'll just cancel the order. I've been right on the edge and this discount pushed me to purchase it.
Not removing the GF filter just not using the arbor fab hop filter anymore once I was instructed on throttling back the flow by closing the valve off it solved the clogging so far. It's not super fast and the GF filter gets really coated up but I don't have any issues. I just leave it and let go and do something while transferring. In the beginning I wasn't doing it right and had it wide open which clogged it up. Then I got the arbor fab hop filter not knowing otherwise and started using that which stopped the clogging but was still wide open. So for the last two brews each 5oz pellet right at the point when starting sanitizing the chiller I open Just enough so the wort doesn't flow back up and leave it until fully transferred. Hop stands and all. At the end I tilt the wort to get the last little bit. I think I've run. It this way for 2-3 times now.
Last brew was the first time I took the check valve parts out and I ran without just to see. It was too strong on the mash step or at least I need to cut the tubing back since the output is so close to the wall.
I have a 6 or 7 oz IPA on deck so I'll check back in on the weekend.
I have never used leaf hops in it.
^^Really glad i confirmed that!
Hi GFer's, i've been trying - mostly thinking - how to build a hop spider today and i figured why not put the 5 gallon nylon mesh bag over the boiler and just put hops inside that?
Pretty simple..
Hey Brad,
If you mean a paint strainer bag, well, I'm no chemist, but I'd suspect that a paint strainer bag is likely not made of food grade nylon - so while I think its fine for cooler wort, boiling wort...eh...not so sure I'd do that. You probably won't taste it in the beer, but just can't be good. Now bag from the LHBS designed for BIAB, yeah not a bad idea at all, so long as the hops hold it down somewhat into the boil, or even could just cinch it up and drape it in, keeping it off the bottom.
Is there a way to do larger grain bills in it ? Got mine last week with their jacket and hop spider but haven't got a chance to brew yet.
i have no problem, I watched the GRAINFATHER video and turn on the cold water, run the pump till I feel cold coming from the wort hose, almost immediately, stop pump, put the wort out hose into Fermentor and fill it. Seriously ignoring the temp of the wort in the boiler. I always think, omg it's too cold. I run the chiller water out the window, btw, so as not to put it in septic tank.
Did you adjust the red valve during the chilling period? you can raise and lower the temp of the wort coming out of the chiller by opening up or closing off some on the red handle. I've seen several folks get the wort to the temp they want (coming out of the chiller) and then move the hose to fill the fermenter.
This practice will drastically cut down on your chill time since you are not trying to chill the entire 5-6 gallons of wort at one time.
Made Yooper pale ale, Something went wrong!! I hit 1.058 on the mark. First ever all grain and I hit it right??? WOO HOO Now to enjoy this 21 amendment live free or die pale ale
Made Yooper pale ale, Something went wrong!! I hit 1.058 on the mark. First ever all grain and I hit it right??? WOO HOO Now to enjoy this 21 amendment live free or die pale ale
Congrats, yeah it's a bit time consuming cleaning, just clean other items at same time. To limit water usage I use about 2-3G of cold water in final rinse, not full as GF says. And you got it for 700, right?Had my maiden voyage on the Grainfather today as well. Everything seemed to run smooth. Clean up takes a while, but everything else is a breeze. Also, I hit 1.056 with 9.5# of grain! This is going to be a 6% Blonde. A little strong, but I'm sure it will be good.
Congrats! Dialed in I expect this thing to be consistent. Sweet!Made Yooper pale ale, Something went wrong!! I hit 1.058 on the mark. First ever all grain and I hit it right??? WOO HOO Now to enjoy this 21 amendment live free or die pale ale
Congrats, yeah it's a bit time consuming cleaning, just clean other items at same time. To limit water usage I use about 2-3G of cold water in final rinse, not full as GF says. And you got it for 700, right?
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